Vol. XXXIX
SEPTEMBER 2008 _________________________________
I Love My Church…
Congratulations! It took you nine years, but you finally did it. I’m speechless! And overwhelmed. And inspired. And impressed. And so very grateful to God for all of you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It’s a marvelous blessing to serve with and among you. This month, instead of coming up with something else for my ReMarks, I simply defer to you, and your reMarkable insights and observations (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Many thanks to all who completed the half-page bulletin insert. If you want to see the originals, they’re still on the west wall in Fellowship Hall. In no particular order, here are some of the reasons why members and friends love this church:
~ Rev. Mark
I Love My Church…
~ because just when it is asking us for words, I become speechless. I cannot find the right words, nor is it necessary. This church embraces me with “the still small voice of calm.”
~ because of the way it takes care of its children.
~ I learned love of God as opposed to a fear of God. Rev. Mark has the greatest messages. They have led me to wanting to learn more about our faith and the faith of other religions. Our people are wonderful! Most of my role models came from the congregation.
~ because it’s always here for support and love. It was a really great comfort to me when my husband passed away. Thanks to the people and Rev. Mark.
~ because every time I come here when I visit my mom, I feel welcomed and at home in God’s presence. The beautiful setting, amazingly wonderful music and friendly smiling congregation shout the glory of God to the whole world. Thank you for loving and worshiping with my mom. Truly, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are very much alive here! Love in Christ…
~ We are visitors now, but the Spirit, the friends, all gifts of God as we walk and serve with him each day remain in our DL Congo memories.
~ because even though I’ve been gone for years I still feel like I’m home when I’m here. Thank you for all of the care packages. It was wonderful to see all of you!
~ because it has become my extended family. Joys and concerns are very personal, not just names on a piece of paper.
~ because of all the rainbow people.
~ because I miss my church family when I’m gone, and they miss me back!
~ because we think and talk about anything and everything – as a family should.
~ because I’ve never met more interesting, intelligent, fun people anywhere!
~ because it’s fun, it’s family, it has great talent of members, it is supportive, and it has good cooks!
~ because we have respect and tolerance for the other religions of the world who worship the Sacred. And that we welcome all to worship with us.
~ because of the people – they feed my heart and soul – with hope and humor, experience, advice, wisdom, a listening ear, understanding, encouragement, music, words from the Bible, a hug from a quiet lady when there are no words for your grief, for laughter and conversation, genuine care for “how was your week?” Because it is God’s house, a very special holy place, a home and haven where I am always welcome and feel safe and loved. Where everyone’s talents can be shared and are appreciated, even though some of us will never be on “Star Search.”
~ I love coming to church. Everyone is so friendly. I have always thought of the church as my family. Also, I’m so glad I joined the Bible Study. I’ve learned a lot – don’t want to miss it. We have so many great leaders – so glad I’m a part of it – whatever I can do or need. God is really speaking here. Rev. Mark is the best ever. God Bless to everyone.
~ because here I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses who inspire me to study, think and act in challenging ways. Through the years my faith has grown through the life of this fellowship.
~ because this is my family. Here it is all right to ask questions and explore new thoughts. I find a sense of peace here. It is a good place to speak to God because we all care for one another.
~ because my church loves me!
~ because I do not think any other congregation in town has as much fun as we do. I feel embraced by my church family.
~ because of the people who come – all are trying to make life better.
~ because it gives me the wonderful opportunity to be with the special people who are members, and to challenge my mind with the thoughtful sermons and ideas presented by Rev. Mark.
September
BIRTHDAYS 04 – Matt Casey, Tim Hachfeld 07 – Miggs Anderson, Mary Kulberg, Wayne McCoy, Barb Zapp 11 – Duane Kuehl, Gina Atchia 12 – Miranda Vareberg
USHERS 07 & 14 – Jim & Sharon Sinclair 21 & 28 – Phil & Fran Johnson
FRIENDSHIP TIME 07 – Sherlene Wiliams & Nancy Hayle 14 – Dianne & Leonard Bailey, Susie Rogstad 21 – Fran & Phil Johnson, Edith Donley 28 – Jim & Louise Mendenhall
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13 – Yvonne Borah 15 – Shirley Werkman 20 – Verlyn Borah, Steve Johnson 24 – Carolynn Blanding 29 – Jean McDonald
GREETERS 07 & 14 – Roma Jacoby & Kay Hartness 21 & 28 – Dick & Claire Wilson
FLOWERS 07 – Carolyn Armknecht & Bob Singler 14 – Shirley Lee in Memory of Duke Lee 21 – Claire & Dick Wilson 28 – Lueben Family in Memory of Rosemary Lueben |
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COURTESY GROUP
Leaders for September & October: Nancy Hayle, Judy Dey.
Guidelines for Courtesy Group members
1. Every local church member and family is assigned to a Courtesy Group.
2. You serve two consecutive months of the year.
3. Your group leaders will contact you to provide food or service in case of a funeral,
wedding or special event that falls within your designated months.
4. You will be asked to take a turn serving Sunday Friendship Hour.
(Assignments will be mailed to you prior to the month you serve.)
MEN’S CLUB will meet Saturday, September 6, at 8:00 a.m. at the ClubHouse Hotel for conversation and fellowship.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH WOMEN will present “Women of the Bible Quilts” on Tuesday, September 9, at 1:30 p.m.
LADIES’ COFFEE GROUP will meet Saturday, September 13, at 9:00 a.m. at the ClubHouse Hotel. Everyone is welcome to attend!
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH WOMEN will host a Women’s Retreat at Smokey Hills on Friday, September 26, through Saturday, September 27.
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
Planning Meeting, Sunday September 21
All persons interested in helping with Heifer International activities are invited to the first planning meeting, following worship on Sept. 21st in the Pricilla Room.
Heifer Day and the Alternative Gift Market will be on Sunday, October 26. The focus this year will be the “Farmers Feed the Children Project” in Romania.
Lots of help is needed and it is always a fun and worthwhile time. Come to the Sept 21 meeting and get involved.
Out of the Shower and into The Choir
(But please dress first!)
Congregational Choir Practice Schedule:
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
9:00 a.m. Sundays
New Members are Always Welcome!
Bring your Heart and your Sense of Humor along with your Enthusiasm and Spirit. What you’ll get back will be immeasurable.
For more information, please call
Director Mitsy Casey at 847-6502.
The Board for Christian Education is looking for Sunday School Teachers for 2008-2009. We are looking for teachers to help for monthly intervals. We are very flexible. Please contact Shawna Vareberg at 439-3801, if you can help.
This year Sunday School times remain from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Children will be dismissed from church after the Children’s Sermon to go to their classes.
Sunday School invites kids & their families to a Homecoming Celebration from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7th in the Priscilla Room. A light breakfast will be served.
The present Board for Christian Education positions need to be filled when their terms are completed in January. Four positions will be available. Please prayerfully consider working with the youth of the church as we move into a new Sunday School year!
A Sacred Conversation on Race, Continued
Back on Sunday morning, May 18th, we started A Sacred Conversation on Race. What makes a conversation sacred? According to Webster, here are some ways for us to understand the word sacred: consecrated or belonging to God; dedicated or appropriated to religious use; made holy. Perhaps you remember reading about this denomination-wide sacred conversation on race in the June/July issue of United Church News. In any conversation, of course, dialogue is involved. Therefore, I warmly ask you to consider the following invitation.
Please join me as we continue this Sacred Conversation on Race. We’ll meet four consecutive Sunday afternoons – September 21 & 28 and October 5 & 12. We’ll gather at 3:00 p.m. in the Priscilla Room off the kitchen downstairs. We’ll meet for an hour or so – this will be up to you (the conversation taking place will determine when we sense it’s appropriate to stop for the day.) Our four sessions will be structured this way: We’ll begin by reflecting on the “Powers and Principalities of Racism,” then consider some “New Data from America.” We’ll continue by paying attention to how “The Spirit is Moving” and finish up by looking at “Some Strategies to Move Us Forward.” I have a few brief articles for us to read individually before each session. These articles will be the focus of our time together.
So that’s the plan. Are you interested in joining me and some fellow members and friends of this congregation to continue our Sacred Conversation on Race? I hope you’ll say yes. Please contact me. I need to know you’re coming so I can give you the articles to read prior to our first session, which will happen on September 21, starting at 3:00 p.m. I look forward to hearing from you.
~ Rev. Mark
We Are Pleased to Welcome Jennifer Fritz
Jen officially joined the church on August 24. She grew up in Crystal, Minnesota, and spent a good portion of her younger years playing a lot of tennis. She lived in Texas for a while before permanently moving back to Minnesota in 2006. She moved to Detroit Lakes in the fall of 2007. She’s now an avid bicycle rider – one of the things she enjoyed about Austin, TX, is that it’s a big bike town. If she’s not riding her bike, Jen may likely be found walking around town with her dog Sophie. Jen also volunteers at the Humane Society. WELCOME, JEN!
Congo Church Women (CCW)
THANKS to everyone that contributed to the collection of school supplies for the Lakes Crisis Center. It was a wonderful assortment and will be greatly appreciated!
SEPTEMBER 9 (Tuesday): Meeting at 1:30 p.m. Program, “Women of the Bible Quilts,” presented by Mitsy Casey and Terry Bergman. Hostess: Roma Jacoby.
SEPTEMBER 19-21: Minnesota Conference Women’s Retreat at Pilgrim Point. Two, maybe three people from the DL church are attending.
SEPTEMBER 26-27: Detroit Lakes Congo Church Women’s Retreat at Smokey Hills Wilderness Retreat Center. (See article below.)
OCTOBER 7 (Tuesday): “Out to Lunch.” Autumn drive to Minwanjige (Native Harvest) Café, White Earth Reservation. Meet at church at 12 Noon to carpool.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER . . . .
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
WOMEN’S RETREAT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27
The CCW is sponsoring an overnight retreat for all women of the church, to be held at the Smokey Hills Wilderness Retreat Center, located at the former Village of the Smokey Hills near Osage.
The retreat will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday and end at about 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Those unable to come on Friday for the overnight are invited to join the group on Saturday, with breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m., but you are going to miss the special time together on Friday evening.
The theme of the retreat is “The Eighth Day of Creation,” and will be led by Mary Kulberg and Sally Oja. The book by the same title, written by Elizabeth O’Conner, can be ordered for $10.
Each person attending is asked to pay $25 toward the cost of the event. If you can only attend on Saturday, your cost is $15.
Accommodations will be bunk beds or single beds (with comfortable mattresses). All bedding and towels are included. Meals will be provided. You can view the retreat center at their website: www.smokeyhills.com. We will be staying in the Rockwood Two group unit that consists of three bedrooms and a large sitting area.
Smaller cabins with a queen bed and a set of bunks are also available for an additional cost.
To register, pick up a form at the church, or contact Mary Kulberg at 847-3957, mmkulberg@juno.com; or Sally Oja at 847-7177, soja@arvig.net.
Painless Fundraiser
For some time folks in the church have been dropping off newspapers and magazines for recycling. I've been hauling them to MinnKota Recycling, located just north of DL on Highway 59 (Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to noon). The church receives a penny per pound. We are now officially registered as a charitable organization with Minnkota Recycling. What this means is that anybody can drop off aluminum cans, newspapers or magazines and simply give them our account number, which, conveniently, is our phone number: 847-4609. Our account will be credited and we will receive a check each quarter.
Please take your aluminum cans, newspapers and magazines (separated) to the recycling center and simply give them the church phone number -- 847-4609
-- when you do. Thank You!
~ Rev. Mark Kuether
THANK YOU!
From Dale Dressler, Managing Director of Pilgrim Point Camp: “Thank you for your recent gift of $400.00 for the ministry of Pilgrim Point Camp. Your generous donation to Pilgrim Point Camp is greatly appreciated. The upkeep of the property along with quality programming, combine to create opportunities to nurture Christian community in an open and affirming environment. The ministry at camp would not be possible without the extra support of individual donations provided by folks like you who love this special place. We invite you to come enjoy Pilgrim Point Camp and witness how your gift continues to make our ministry possible. Together we will work to keep Pilgrim Point a place where we can embrace God’s creation, renew our spirits, and experience God’s community.”
From Jan Logan, Executive Director of Lakes Crisis & Resource Center: “Thank you for your recent donation. The backpacks are certainly needed by many in the community. Your kind & generous donation will help families in need & make their lives a little better. Thanks again & on behalf of our entire staff, please know we are very grateful for your donation.”